Athletics News

INDIANAPOLIS - Loyola University Maryland recorded 100-percent graduation success rate scores for 12 of 14 sports that reported, according to NCAA graduation success rate numbers released this week. All seven women's sports achieved perfect scores while five men's sports also posted 100-percent scores, placing Loyola in a tie for third in NCAA Division I with an overall score of 97.

The rate applies to student-athletes who entered Loyola in 2003. This is the third straight year that Loyola has received perfect scores for 12 sports.

The NCAA developed the Graduation Success Rate as part of its academic reform initiative to more accurately assess the academic success of student-athletes. The rate holds institutions accountable for transfer students, unlike the federal graduation rate. The Graduation Success Rate also accounts for midyear enrollees and is calculated for every sport.

Under the calculation, institutions are not penalized for outgoing transfer students who leave in good academic standing. The outgoing transfers are essentially passed to the receiving institution's Graduation Success Rate cohort.

By counting incoming transfer students and midyear enrollees, the Graduation Success Rate increases the total number of student-athletes tracked for graduation by more than 37 percent. The NCAA also calculates the federal graduation rate for student-athletes. It is the only rate by which to compare student-athletes to the general student body.